Burns wins first NCHSAA 2-A state baseball championship after sweep of South Granville
HOLLY SPRINGS, NORTH CAROLINA--Another big inning propelled the Burns Bulldogs to 9-5 win against the South Granville Vikings and the NCHSAA 2-A state championship on Saturday at Ting Stadium, completing a two-game sweep in the series.
The Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead right away as Ben Mauney doubled in the first at-bat of the game and scored when Ethan Guy bounced out later in the inning. In the third, Burns blew the game open with a five-run rally. Colby Putnam, who was the MVP of the series, pushed across a pair of runs to start the third-inning rally and then scored when Reid Stroupe drew a bases-loaded walk.
Colby Putnam of Burns was named the MVP of the NCHSAA 2-A baseball state championship series.
NCHSAA photo
Camden Mackall singled home Hagan Hoyle and Josh Taylor to put the Bulldogs in front 6-0 and they never looked back.
The Vikings fought to stay in the game and plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, thanks to RBIs from Riley Newton and Josiah Morris. South Granville added one run in fifth, sixth and seventh innings but never pulled any closer than four runs.
Marshall McGowan went 3-for-5 with two runs for the Bulldogs and six other Burns batters finished with a pair of hits, including Guy who finished with three RBIs.
The Bulldogs finished the season 28-4, while the Vikings ended 2023 with a record of 22-6.
In Game 1 on Friday night, a six-run fourth inning powered the Burns to a 6-1 win against South Granville.
The Vikings took the lead in the top of the third inning as starting pitcher Cade Currin hit a solo home run but that lead only lasted until the Burns’ bats came to life in the bottom of the fourth. CF Ben Mauney had two RBIs in the frame and 1B Marshall McGowan, C Reid Stroupe and 2B Nick Williams each added one more as the Bulldogs took control of the game.
Burns’ Colby Putnam tossed a complete game to earn the win. He allowed one run on four hits while striking out five batters. He needed only 78 pitches to finish the game.
The NCHSAA is committed to recognizing and promoting good sportsmanship and has partnered with the NC Farm Bureau to honor two student-athletes at each of this year’s championships with Sportsmanship Awards for excellence throughout the season. The 2A Baseball Sportsmanship Award winners were Riley Newton from South Granville and Josh Powell from Burns.
